We come to SAs b ggest and most comp ete runn ng
ca endar, conta n ng a road and tra runs, as we as
d sc p nes. Just remember to a ways check w th the o
dr v ng to an event, as some deta s may have chang
to pr nt. – COMPILED BY SEAN FALCONER w th TOM
GAUTENG
CENTRAL GAUTENG
Sunday 3 Feb ua y
Mode n A h e e Bobb es Ha Ma a hon
10km & 5km G eens one Shopp ng Cen e
Edenva e 6am He n Ge be 079 525 0302
Subscribe now to SA’s Biggest Running Publication
Have Your SAY
36
this year”
hungry again
start
line. I’m
FALCONER
when you say Yes. – BY SEAN
novel, so it is quite appropriate
will that
get she to recently
that launched her book, What happens
being stabbed by a mugger in New York. Her life story reads like a fantastic adventure
6
for Marathon
success, Des you
Everest and run the multi-day
Sables in the Sahara Desert, after surviving
Lee den Hond has run ultra-marathons,
done multiple Ironmans, climbed Mount
hungry enough
“if you’re
well at Comrades again.”
because I feel this year I have the opportunity to do
run certain times, and I am going to listen to him,
not my main focus. Lindsey always says I need to
it, as Caroline did, then I will go for it, but that is
in the last few kays and there is a chance to win
then I will run a sensible race. If there is something
worked out with Lindsey what I need to do, and
“So I will see how Two Oceans goes, but I will have
36
N
ADVENTURE
CHASING
Comrades.”
big week on top of it broke me, and that affected my
hadn’t actually raced too hard at Loskop, but the
week at altitude in Graskop the very next week. I
record for veterans, then had my biggest training
won the Loskop 50km in 3:22 and broke the course
to Comrades. Last year I learnt my lesson when I
nice to win Two Oceans, but this year it’s too close
Comrades is her main focus this year. “It would be
five positions in the race, she says no, because
at Two Oceans, to round off her collection of top
When asked if she would like to go after the win
Planning for Success
race.
6:25:55 in the 2016 Down Run, when she won the
record of positions 5, 2, 1, 3 and 5, and a best of
at Comrades, with an equally remarkable finishing
best of 3:40:16 in that 2013 debut) and five golds
Oceans (finishing in positions 2, 5, 4 and 3, with a
2018 she has earned four gold medals at Two
clearly suits her, and in the years from 2013 to
her Comrades debut, finishing fifth. Ultra-running
debut still fresh in her memory, Charne then made
With that really successful 2013 Two Oceans
disqualified.”
have become the winner when Natalya Volgina was
second place... which would have meant I would
1km further, I could have passed Tabtitha Tsatsa for
last few kilometres, and if the race had been just
catching everyone. I was hammering it over the
was lying ninth at Constantia Nek, but then I started
Two Oceans, in one of the best races of my career. I
with 7km to go. The following year, I finished third at
for the distance, and then getting tripped and falling
ISSUE 115 FEBRUARY 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za
The detectives told me he had probably
1988 and had spent eight years in prison.
He had a criminal record dating back to
main
jail FEBRUARY
in New York,
just that
morning.
ISSUE
115
2019
/ www.modernathlete.co.za
been released from Rikers Island, the
“His name was Angel Pallo and he had
asked her to identify him.
mugger in handcuffs and leg chains and
be treated, two detectives arrived with the
her X-rays to be developed and then to
wound.” While Lee was still waiting for
to go to hospital, because it was a serious
the ambulance crew insisted that I needed
ambulance and said I would be fine, but
permit. “I actually asked them to stop the
USA illegally, since she didn’t have a work
was not being caught for working in the
Ed. to hospital, but all she could think about
Lee was
in an
ambulance
to be taken
I hope
that put the
running
continues
to help
Jürgen. –
lifestyles.
you get through it all,
HELPING
HANDS
their health, sanity
and peace
of mind, due to stressful situations or
We all run for away.”
different reasons, but there are some that literally run for
and he caught the attacker a few blocks
running makes her feel. Nevertheless, she has
Even now at 43, she says she still loves the way
me still more encouragement.”
Kenyan, with long legs and a short torso, which gave
long-distance runner. They also said I was built like a
69, which meant that I had lots of potential to be a
years old, I did a VO2max test and they said I scored
that she had serious running talent. “When I was 16
ran with her cousin. It also soon became apparent
instantly fell in love with running the first time she
Charne has been running since 1991 and says she
Looking Ahead
other races. You have to train and race smart.”
that to do well at Comrades, you can’t race all the
according to a strict plan. I learnt a big lesson in 2018,
Cape for the Peninsula Marathon, but I am running
I still won at Johnson Crane, and may go down to the
an eye on me to make sure I stick to what is planned.
some races this year to hold me back, and will keep
to 10 percent faster. Lindsey says he will join me in
because even if just training, you naturally go five
in races, and I think that was one of my mistakes,
“In 2018 I was trying to do my long training runs
actually holding back.
new course record of 2:44:52, but she says she is
win in the Johnson Crane Marathon, posting a
Dis-Chem Half, and followed that up with another
This year she has already finished second in the
well as the Sunrise Monster 32km and at Loskop.
Crane, Bestmed/Tuks and Deloitte marathons, as
she probably raced too much, winning the Johnson
place at the Om Die Dam 50km. Last year, however,
finish the Peninsula Marathon, but then took second
and finished fourth at Two Oceans. In 2017, she didn’t
Comrades win, she won the Johnson Crane Marathon
worked for her in the past. In the build-up to her 2016
no matter that my position is.”
Des Sables in the Sahara Desert
myself I did that, then I will be happy with the result,
Lee in action at the Marathon
to know that I gave it everything I have. If I can tell
matters to me when I cross the finish line is that I want
My rivals must do what they need to do, but all that
what I can control, and that is running my own race.
not work. Experience has taught me to focus only on
know what works for me, and of course, what does
as a barrier... but I do listen to my body more now. I
get, the stronger I seem to get, so I do not see my age
she is still fully focused on her running. “The older I
No matter what the future holds, for now Charne says
something new!”
like sports marketing. You’re never too old to try
I may look for something to study after Comrades,
though it’s been a long time since my varsity days,
me realise that I actually enjoy studying, so even
done some coaching courses with ASA, and it made
there, I would love to get involved. I’ve actually just
if there is an opportunity and they want me to help
Roberts are supporting the Vorentoe Academy, so
and enjoy giving back in that way. Also, Murray &
to work with kids. I’m already coaching junior athletes,
running coach, helping with children, because I love
fulltime. On the other hand, I can see myself as a
honest, I can’t see myself going back to teaching
as long as it fits into my training schedule, but to be
“If schools need me again this year, I will be available,
with me while the other went after the guy,
Smith, via e-mail
When the perspective
police arrived, one
officer
stayed
by gaining a positive
on life
again,
thanks to running. – Jürgen
NYC logo, and he’s got my backpack.
feel happiness creeping back into my life again. I feel it can only get better
a yellow sweater and a blue cap with the
for those thirty
minutes to an hour sessions underneath the street lights, I
my leg, I said ‘Yes, definitely, he’s wearing
now I run for Still
my trying
sanity.
I’ll probably
be competing
any time soon, but
to figure
out why I not
couldn’t
feel
asked
me if I even
would if recognise
the guy.
I started running
again,
it is at night
after a thirteen-hour shift. Only,
came to help me. He called the police and
“A passing cab driver stopped his car and
better, regularly, which obviously wouldn’t work.
weight and the
depression
snowballed
total
of three Dollars
in loot in it.” to trying to booze the situation
for sport, which
had become
accustomed
Nike I backpack
and ran
off. It had the to,
sum and now couldn’t. I gained
stabbed me,
and depression
as I lay there was
he took
my
turned to depression.
The
worsened
by wanting to train
all feeling
in my right leg.
The overworked,
guy had
Quickly becoming
overstressed
and
my under-rested health
in my back, like a hammer blow, and I lost
responsibilities increased, so did the stress and work hours as well.
walking. Suddenly I felt an incredible pain
competitively. specific
As the building
monthly
salary together
with the added
or address,
so I continued
Before being of
promoted
at work,
I used
to compete
in sports quite
paper. It looked
like he
was looking
for a
saw a guy RUNNING
behind me, looking at a piece
SURVIVAL
“Something told me to turn around and I
when it happened.
wrapper. I agree that medals are not always an essential, and we could
the last few blocks home, around midnight,
or bag with
their the
other
medals,
often
caught
subway
home and
was without
walking even removing the plastic
races, or they
take
home
putting
in a them
long day
at all and
three simply
jobs, she toss them in a drawer, box
the evenings.
That
day in September,
after
for each run,
but many
experienced
racers
do not take medals at
waitressing work in an Italian restaurant in
earning a medal,
and some long-time runners who still want a medal
in a fashion store, followed by hostess and
for beginner
runners, who are incentivised to run by the prospect of
clients in the mornings, then work in sales
get less entries
do Park
not with
offer
medals. That may well be the case
training if in they
Central
individual
that believe
she would
do personal
Many race describing
organisers
that
medals are essential, that they will
Click here to
subscribe
to help them out as a relief teacher.”
first time in years because several schools asked me
in 1998, but last year I actually updated my CV for the
day, then only taught for six months before turning pro
thinking ahead. I studied teaching way back in the
“You can’t run competitively forever, so I am already
next, when your competitive years at the top are over.
inevitably has to begin thinking of what will come
reached that part of a pro runner’s career when one
that students normally do,” says Lee,
was 30 years old and doing jobs
Gaalen, via “I e-mail
about challenging
race organisers to offer these options? – Roberto van
enough to survive.
fee for each
less
item? jobs
If enough
demand
three
part-time
just trying
to earn was there, how would we go
the that
country,
so instead
she of
was
working
forego this of for
reason.
On top
that,
perhaps a decreased entry
actually
in Portland, waste,
on the other
passionate was
about
decreasing
and side
I believe many people would
she hadn’t realised that Nike headquarters
option of entering either without a medal or T-shirt? I am, as you are,
to legally work in the USA, and secondly,
I’m sure you’ve
had
this
before,
but why do races not offer the
hoped. Firstly,
she question
did not have
a permit
ENTRY
OPTIONS
TO
WASTE
but things
had not worked out
as she LESSEN
had
in marketing with Nike in the Big Apple,
two months trying to land her dream job
she had been in New York for just over
adidas and Nike in South Africa, and now
She had worked in marketing for
seared into Lee den Hond’s memory.
he date 20 September 1999 is
EDITOR’S PICK
T
10
m Ab h m
o Spe
– ou
Naiema Abrahams
Lipstick Runner
Peters, Gauteng Runners Facebook Page
12. When you have finished training, step off the track. – Courtesy of Victor
having just stopped from your run).
the outer lanes, or step off into the infield (in the case of just walking or
11. If you hear “track” or “on your left” or “on the inside,” either move to
10. The inside lanes are normally reserved for the faster runners.
9. Stay alert, don’t use earphones.
8. On completion of a run, move out of the inside lanes.
7. Be considerate of the needs of other track athletes.
track.
6. Do not hold ‘conferences’ on the
arrangements.
5. Observe local fast lane
4. Warm up only in the outer lanes.
left.
3. Passing is usually done on your
first, then place yourself accordingly.
2. Observe the pace of other runners
lanes.
run clockwise, run in the outermost
otherwise posted. If you decide to
counter-clockwise direction, unless
1. On most tracks you will run in a
aware of when training on a track.
Here are a few rules you should be
Walking on at 83
Hester Bekker
Steeplechase Champ
Flying Physio and
Simms
Cherise
TRACK ETIQUETTE
it could go a long way to this double saving. – Ed.
so if runners were given the option of not taking a medal when entering,
definitely cut down on race costs and race waste if we reduced medals,
of the Year ‘18
Trail Athletes
Drive to Run
Revitalised
Bosman
Charne
Moon Lakeside Game Lodge, Plot 59 Beyers
Naude Drive, Muldersdrift, Time TBC,
Sunday 3 February
Modern Athlete Bobbies Half Marathon,
10km & 5km, Greenstone Shopping Centre,
Edenvale, 6am, Hein Gerber 079 525 0302, Spectrum Sport 082 557 6884
M
Wednesday 20 February
Prison Break Trail Run 8km & 5km, Leeukop
Golf Club, cnr Candican & Kliping Roads,
Sunninghill, 7pm, Race Organiser 083 277
4700, Entries: http://www.bouttime.co.za/
Events/event.aspx?EventId=404
Thursday 21 February
Sunday 10 February
Jeppe Marathon & Half Marathon, 8km &
4km, Saheti School, Civin Drive, Senderwood,
6am, Race Organiser, 011 017 2700 (w), Coutry Club, 5th Street, Houghton Estate,
Entries: https://jeppemarathon.co.za net/killarneysummer
Wednesday 13 February
The Happy Wanders Night Trail Run 10km
& 5km, Wanderers Golf Club, Johannesburg,
S
Rockman Trail Run 15km & 8km, Cradle
CENTRAL GAUTENG
6:30pm, Race Organiser 063 389 0681
10km & 4.9km, Sasol Recreational Club,
Nelson Mandela Drive, Secunda, 6am (42,
21 & 10) & 6:10am (4.5),, July Mavuso 082
806 1352, Entries: https://www.entrytime.com/
event-details/?EventId=5789
Run Zone Valentines Laser Light Night
Trail Run 8km & 5km, Randpark Golf Course,
Setperk Road, Randpark, Randburg, 7pm,
Killarney Night Run 10km & 5km, Killarney
Johannesburg, 7pm, More info: www.
wannado.co.za, Entries: https://entrytickets.
Ruimsig Run 10km & 5km, Ruimsig Golf
Club, Roodepoort, 7:30pm, In Reach Runs
011 053 1953, Entries: http://www.webtickets.
co.za/events/featured-races/jackal-run-
ruimsig-run/1487496033
Wednesday 20 February
McCarthy Panorama Night 10km & 4.9km,
Panorama Primary School, Gordon Road,
Witbank/eMalahleni, 7pm, Abie Smit
073 573 2501
nm n
o e Th
W
SA
7pm, Marieke Schoeman 082 497 6607
entrytime.com/event-details/?EventId=5821
Saturday 23 February
& 5km, Wesvalia High School, Hennops
Readman Big 5 Challenge #1 Trail Run
FNB Captain’s Run 30km & 15km, Auas
Flight Centre Foundation
Trail Wilkoppies,
Run
Street,
Klerksdorp, 30km,
5:30am,
22km, 10km Hills,
& 4km,
Hennops
Kupferberg
Road, Windhoek, Time TBC,
Challenge 12km, 6km & Marius
2km, van
Modderfontein
Heerden 082 487 7290
Trails, on R511, Pretoria,
6:30am,
Ruan
Charles
+264 (0)81
124 9471
Nature Reserve, Arden Road, Modderfontein,
Wednesday 13 February
7am, Leigh Barnsley 060 874 1039, Entries:
Botes [email protected],
Entries:
Rock & Run 10km
& 5km, Trustco United
Doringkruin Night Race 10km,
5km &
http://www.bouttime.co.za/Events/event.
Sports Grounds, Frankie Fredericks Drive,
https://enter.entryninja.com/events/39422
2.5km, Doringkruin Ned Herv aspx?EventId=398
Church,
Windhoek, 5pm, Contact: [email protected]
Boekenhout Road, Klerksdorp, 6:30pm, Marius
GAUTENG NORTH
Cover image: Jetline Action Photo
www.modernathlete.co.za
Real Ironman of SA Triathlon
Matt Trautman
Graham 072 276 9635
Friday 15 February
Hot 91.9FM Valentine’s 10km Night
Race, Randburg Central Sports Complex,
cnr Republic Road & Silver Pine Avenue,
Randburg, 7pm, Michelle Knotzer 079 844
7156, Entries: https://www.entryninja.com/
Running Back to Life
Former Drug Addict
Kaia Manzi Trail Run 10km & 5km, Kaia
ORIENTEERING
Gauteng Urban Sprint #2, The Campus,
15km,
Smuts Irene
River,
Johannesburg,
Gauteng, Starts from
Cool Ideas Klooftzicht Summer
Trail 10km & 5km, Bryanston,
Jan Smuts
Centurion,
7am, Shane
to 10:45am,
Alex Pope 078 344 8470
Run Series #1 25km, 15km, 8km
& 4km, Avenue, 9:45am
Gouldie 082 332 9552, Entries: https://www.
Kloofzicht Lodge & Spa, Kromdraai Road,
Monday 4 February
Muldersdrift, 7:30am, Race Organiser
082 887
entrytime.com/event-details/?EventId=5812
Gauteng Schools Sprint League #2, Golden
3317, Entries: https://enter.entryninja.com/
Harvest Park, Johannesburg,Gauteng, Time
Wednesday 6 February
events/38382-kloofzicht-summer-run
TBC, Karen Chambers 083 474 9463
Trail Adventure Jackal Night Run 10km
Monday
11 February
& 5km, Copperleaf Golf
Estate,
Ernie
Gauteng Schools Sprint League #3, Pinnacle
Els Boulevard & West Street, Centurion,
NORTHERN CAPE
College (Summit), Johannesburg, Gauteng,
GRIQUALAND WEST
7pm, Shane Gouldie 082 332 9552,
Time TBC, Karen Chambers 083 474 9463
Entries: https://www.entrytime.com/event-
Sunday 17 February
Saturday 2 February
details/?EventId=5813
Gauteng Urban Sprint #3, St Davids College,
Vodacom Meerkat Marathon, Half Marathon
Saturday
9 February
Johannesburg, Gauteng, Starts from 9am to
& 10km, Bishops Old Boys Club,
Memorial
10:30am,
Peter Carides
071 688 2533
Bronkhorstspruit
32km
& 10km,
Erasmus
Road, Kimberley, 5:30am, Gerhard
Kruger
High School, Cathie Monday
Street, Bronkhorstspruit,
082 499 5990
18 February
Saturday 23 February
6am, Danie Kruger 082
827 0068
Gauteng
Schools Sprint League #4,
Pirates Groot Gat Marathon, Half Marathon
Heronbridge School, Johannesburg, Gauteng,
Adventure Tails Fun Run for Lienke,
& 10km, Pirates Club, Jacobus Smit Avenue,
Time TBC, Karen Chambers 083 474 9463
21km, 15km, 10km, 5km & 2km, The Big
Red Barn, 7 Nelson Road, Olifantsfontein,
58
7am, Glizelle
083 264 3931,
ISSUE 115 FEBRUARY
2019 Langerman
/ www.modernathlete.co.za
Entries: https://www.entrytime.com/event-
details/?EventId=5814
54 ISSUE 115 FEBRUARY 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za
54 ISSUE 115 FEBRUARY 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za
Wagendrift Challenge, Tri: Full
1km/10km/5km & Half 500m/5km/2.5km, Bi:
Full: 1km/5km & Half 500m/2.5km, Wagendrift
Dam, Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal, Contact TBC
Saturday 9 February
Free State Triathlon/Duathlon, Standard
1.5km/40km/10km, Sprint 750m/20km/5km,
Super Sprint 400m/10km/2.5km, Maselspoort,
Free State, 8:30am, 8:35am & 9am, Christa
073 718 5427, More info: www.roag.co.za
Sunday 10 February
Discovery Triathlon World Cup Cape
Town, Tri: Standard 750m/40km/10km
(7am) & Sprint 500m/20km/5km (9am), Du:
Standard 10km/40km/5km (7am), Sprint
5km/20km/2.5km (9:30am) & Super Sprint
2.5km/10km/2.5km (12pm), V&A Waterfront,
Cape Town, Western Cape, More info:
[email protected], Entries:
https://www.triathlon.capetown/enter/
Sunday 17 February
Rockman X-Triathlon & Duathlon, Tri:
Ultra Tri 1.8km/50km/15km (7am), Dash
Tri 500m/22km/5km (7:30am), Du: Dash
Du 2km/22km/5km (7:40am), Rock Kids 9+
500m/5km/500m (10:20am) & Rock Kids
5-8 150m/3km/150m (10am), Cradle Moon
Lakeside Game Lodge, 59 Beyers Naude
Drive, Muldersdrift, Gauteng, Spectrum Sport
082 557 6884
Sunday 17 February
aQuellé Mudman Series Eston,
Swim Tri: Full 700m/20km/5km & Half
350m/10km/2.5km, Paddle Tri: Full
2.5km/20km/5km & Half 1.25km/10km/2.5km,
Beaulieu Dam, Richmond, KwaZulu-Natal,
9:15am (Full) & 9:45am (Half), Charmaine
Botha 086 100 7624, Entries: https://www.
roag.co.za/online-entries.aspx?EventID=2309
Saturday 23 February
XTERRA Lite (Cross-Tri), 400m/14km/6.5km,
Grabouw Country Club, Eikenhof Dam,
Grabouw, Western Cape, 8am, Stillwater
Events 082 991 0045, Entries: https://www.
entryninja.com/events/event/32882-xterra-
grabouw-lite
Saturday 23 February
XTERRA Kids, 250m/5km/2.5km (12-15),
100m/3km/1.5km (9-11) & 60m/2km/600m
(6-8); Grabouw Country Club, Eikenhof Dam,
Grabouw, Western Cape, 1:30pm, Stillwater
Events 082 991 0045, Entries: https://www.
entryninja.com/events/event/32862-xterra-
grabouw-kids
P52
Friends
Are Your
The Hills
10:30am, Peter Carides 071 688 2533
& 10km, Bishops Old Boys Club, Memorial
Johannesburg, Gauteng, Starts from 9am to
Vodacom Meerkat Marathon, details/?EventId=5814
Half Marathon
Gauteng Urban Sprint #3, St Davids College,
Entries: https://www.entrytime.com/event-
Saturday 2 February
Sunday 17 February
bclid=IwAR0d1ij7d5IkecE5xP3vwZoX-
Entries: https://entrytickets.net/pirates21?f-
6am, Race Organiser 011 568 0922 (w),
Cruden Bay & Braeside Road, Greenside,
Pirates Half Marathon, Pirates Club, cnr
Sunday 17 February
GRIQUALAND WEST
ruimsig-run/1487496033
hands!
co.za/events/featured-races/jackal-run-
6:30pm,
Race
Organiser
063 389 we
0681
name and who has represented
SA on
the
track. Then
know we are 011 in 053
good
1953, Entries: http://www.webtickets.
& 5km, Wanderers Golf Club, Johannesburg,
physio is not only an active athlete, but a national athlete, with two SA Club,
titles
to her 7:30pm, In Reach Runs
Roodepoort,
The Happy Wanders Night Trail Run 10km
Ruimsig
Run 10km & 5km, Ruimsig Golf
treated by somebody that knows
and understands
if that
Wednesday
13 February our sport. Even better
when we go to the physio, it stands to reason that we would prefer
being
net/killarneysummer
Entries: https://jeppemarathon.co.za
wannado.co.za,
the physio, to massage 6am,
sore
muscles,
treat
injuries
or undergo rehab.
So Entries: https://entrytickets.
Race
Organiser,
011 017
2700 (w),
Saheti
Civin
Drive, Senderwood,
ooner or later, most of 4km,
us who
are School,
active
in sport
need to spend Johannesburg,
time with 7pm, More info: www.
Coutry Club, 5th Street, Houghton Estate,
Killarney Night Run 10km & 5km, Killarney
only ‘hurdle’ in her 2019 plans. – BY MANFRED SEIDLER
Thursday 21 February
7:30pm & 7:40pm, Heidi Muller 082 564 6468
to go after the SA Record
this year, and that won’t Events/event.aspx?EventId=404
be the
Randpark Golf Club, Setperk Str, Randpark,
4700, Entries:
Black
Diamond
Trail determined
8km & 4km,
steeplechase, Cherise
Sims
is Night
more
than
ever http://www.bouttime.co.za/
Wednesday 6 February
Sunninghill, 7pm, Race Organiser 083 277
With two SA titles to her name in the women’s 3000m
Golf Club, cnr Candican & Kliping Roads,
Edenvale, 6am, Hein Gerber 079 525 0302,
Time TBC, Karen Chambers 083 474 9463
Red Barn, 7 Nelson Road, Olifantsfontein,
Adventure Tails Fun
Run for
Monday
11 Lienke,
February
S
Jeppe Marathon & Half Marathon, 8km &
Sunday 10 February
7am, Glizelle Langerman 083 264 3931,
College (Summit), Johannesburg, Gauteng,
NORTHERN CAPE
21km, 15km, 10km, Gauteng
5km & 2km,
The Sprint
Big League #3, Pinnacle
Schools
unbelievable experience.”
entrytime.com/event-details/?EventId=5817
332 I 9552,
Entries:
Kenyans and Ethiopians warm Gouldie
up, to 082
how
should
look https://www.
at racing. It was such an
off R21 & R25, Kempton Park, 7pm, Shane
It was quite overwhelming! But
I learnt so much, from watching how the
& 5km, Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate,
Holder, a record that was set about
two
weeks Night
prior Run
to the
Africa
Serengeti
Valentines
15km,
10km Championships...
than you... that’s already something. And one of them is in fact the World Record
events/event/39342-valentines-night-race-10km
line with six other athletes who
are Entries:
all between
30 seconds and a minute faster
7156,
https://www.entryninja.com/
Randburg,
7pm, to Michelle
Knotzer
844
running, but I have a lot to learn
and lots
improve
on. 079
Imagine
being on the start
cnr Republic
& Silver
Avenue,
learning the 3000m steeplechase
event. Road
I may
have Pine
won
the SA Title two years
Race, Randburg Central Sports Complex,
the African Championships, which she describes as quite an experience. “I am still
Hot 91.9FM Valentine’s 10km Night
in Mauritius in 2018 and then Friday
going 15
on February
to compete in the 3000m steeplechase at
represented South Africa at the
Southern Region Cross Country Championships
Graham 072 276 9635
Well, 25-year-old Cherise Sims
meets
all of
those Randburg,
specifications,
Setperk
Road,
Randpark,
7pm, having Pirates Half Marathon, Central Gauteng, 17 February
Prison Break Trail Run 8km & 5km, Leeukop
TBC, 827
Karen
Chambers 083 474 9463
6am, Danie Kruger 082
0068
events/38382-kloofzicht-summer-run
Johannesburg,Gauteng, Time
High School, Cathie Harvest
Street, Park,
Bronkhorstspruit,
3317, Entries: https://enter.entryninja.com/
Gauteng
Schools
Sprint League #2, Golden
Bronkhorstspruit
32km
& 10km,
Erasmus
Muldersdrift, 7:30am, Race Organiser
082 887
Monday 4 February
Kloofzicht Lodge & Spa, Kromdraai
Road, 9 February
Saturday
Run Series #1 25km, 15km, 8km & 4km,
9:45am to 10:45am, Alex Pope 078 344 8470
details/?EventId=5813
Cool Ideas Klooftzicht Summer Trail
Bryanston, Johannesburg, Gauteng, Starts from
Entries: https://www.entrytime.com/event-
Sunday 3 February
Gauteng Urban Sprint #2, The Campus,
7pm, Shane Gouldie Sunday
082 332
9552,
3 February
NORTH WEST NORTH Els Boulevard & West Street, Centurion,
ORIENTEERING
& 5km, Copperleaf Golf Estate, Ernie
van Heerden 082 487 7290
Trail Adventure Jackal Night Run 10km
Boekenhout Road, Klerksdorp, 6:30pm, Marius
Wednesday 6 February
Windhoek, 5pm, Contact: [email protected]
2.5km, Doringkruin Ned Herv Church,
Sports Grounds, Frankie Fredericks Drive,
Doringkruin Night Race 10km,
5km &
entrytime.com/event-details/?EventId=5812
Rock & Run 10km & 5km, Trustco United
Wednesday 13 February
Gouldie 082 332 9552, Entries: https://www.
+264
(0)81 Shane
124 9471
Jan Smuts Avenue, Charles
Centurion,
7am,
Marius van Heerden 082 487 7290
Hills, Kupferberg Road, Windhoek, Time TBC,
Street, Wilkoppies, Klerksdorp, 15km,
5:30am,
10km & 5km, Smuts Irene River,
FNB Captain’s Run 30km & 15km, Auas
& 5km, Wesvalia High School, Trail
Readman
Adventure Smuts Trail Run 21km,
Saturday 23 February
Intercare Classic Road Klerksdorp
Race Half Marathon,
Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km
10km & 5km, Rietondale Park, Soutpansberg
Saturday 2 February
Saturday 9 February
Organiser 012 004 0915
+264(0)81 240 3383
Manzi Resort, Bronkhorstspruit,
Race
Swakopmund, 6:30am,
Time TBC,
Frank Slabbert
10km Venita
& 5km,
Kaia Welwitschia Street,
GAUTENG NORTH CENTRAL NORTH WEST Kaia Manzi Trail Run
& 5km,
Stadium,
Rossing Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km
NORTH WEST
aspx?EventId=398
Saturday 9 February
https://enter.entryninja.com/events/39422
http://www.bouttime.co.za/Events/event.
7am, Leigh Barnsley 060 874 1039, Entries:
Botes [email protected],
Entries:
NAMIBIA
Nature Reserve, Arden Road,
Modderfontein,
7pm, Marieke
Schoeman 082 497 6607
Trails, on R511, Pretoria, 6:30am, Ruan
Challenge 12km, 6km & 2km, Modderfontein
COUNTRIES
NEIGHBOURING
Hoogenhout Stadium, Wicht Street, Bethal,
30km, 22km, 10km & 4km, Hennops
Hoogenhout
Flight Centre Foundation
Trail Run Nite 10km & 4.9km, Hoërskool
Hennops Big 5 Challenge #1 Trail Run
Wednesday 27 February
event-details/?EventId=5758
Sunday 3 February
Anne Nieuwenhuizen 082 440 2294
443 3777, Entries: https://www.entrytime.com/
eMkhondo, 6am (42 & 21) & 6:15am
(10),
event-details/?EventId=5811
Casino, 5:30am, Russell Nugent 082 302 5512
Road, Eldorado Park, 6am, Joe Morris 082
& 10km, Piet Retief Rugby Club,
Piet Entries:
Retief/ https://www.entrytime.com/
3931,
Marathon & 10km, Desert Palace Hotel &
& 5km, Eldorado Park Stadium, Cumming
TWK Assegaai Marathon, Half Marathon
Township Marathon, Half Marathon, 10 km
Saturday 23 February
Sunday 24 February
Centurion, 7am, Glizelle
083 264
John Langerman
Nugent Memorial
Marathon & Half
10km & 5km, Greenstone Shopping Centre,
Modern Athlete Bobbies Half Marathon,
Sunday 3 February
CENTRAL GAUTENG
GAUTENG
Saturday
23 February
2km, Smuts Irene River,
Jan Smuts
Avenue,
Naude Drive, Muldersdrift, Time TBC, 073 573 2501
Adventure Tails River
Run 10km,
5km
& Burger 082 622 7109
Upington,
5:30am,
Carel
entrytime.com/event-details/?EventId=5821
Witbank/eMalahleni, 7pm, Abie Smit
Marathon & 10km, Spitskop Nature Reserve,
classic-road-race
Gouldie 082 332 9552, Entries:
https://www.
Panorama
Primary School, Gordon
Road,
Zelco Motors Spitskop Marathon, Half
entries.timeme.co.za/events/39382-intercare-
Golf Club, Spur Road, Midrand,
7pm,
Shane Night 10km
McCarthy
Panorama
& 4.9km,
Moon Lakeside Game Lodge, Plot 59 Beyers
Rockman Trail Run 15km & 8km, Cradle Wednesday
20 February
083 256 0241 (3pm-5pm), Entries: https://
Kyalami Night Run 10km
& 5km, Kyalami
Friday 22 February
Hank WEST
Bezhuidenhout
event-details/?EventId=5789 Road, Rietondale, 6am,
NORTH
CAPE
Wednesday 20 February
Spectrum Sport 082 557 6884
Saturday 3 February
806 1352, Entries: https://www.entrytime.com/
21 & 10) & 6:10am (4.5),, July Mavuso 082
events/sport/groot-gat-marathon/1487811814
Nelson Mandela Drive, Secunda, 6am (42,
co.za, Entries: http://www.webtickets.co.za/
Day Trail Run, Boland, Kimberley,
9 & 10 6am,
February
10km & 4.9km, Sasol Recreational Club,
Douw Kruger douw@seesa.
to print. – COMPILED BY SEAN FALCONER with TOM COTTRELL
driving to an event, as some details may have changed since going
disciplines. Just remember to always check with the organisers before
calendar, containing all road and trail runs, as well as other running-related
Welcome to SA’s biggest and most complete running and walking race
Fairtree Capital Simonsberg Contour Two
Discovery Triathlon World Cup Cape Town, Multisport, 10 February
grabouw-kids
entryninja.com/events/event/32862-xterra-
Events 082 991 0045, Entries: https://www.
Grabouw, Western Cape, 1:30pm, Stillwater
(6-8); Grabouw Country Club, Eikenhof Dam,
100m/3km/1.5km (9-11) & 60m/2km/600m
XTERRA Kids, 250m/5km/2.5km (12-15),
Saturday 23 February
grabouw-lite
entryninja.com/events/event/32882-xterra-
Events 082 991 0045, Entries: https://www.
Grabouw, Western Cape, 8am, Stillwater
Grabouw Country Club, Eikenhof Dam,
XTERRA Lite (Cross-Tri), 400m/14km/6.5km,
Saturday 23 February
roag.co.za/online-entries.aspx?EventID=2309
Botha 086 100 7624, Entries: https://www.
9:15am (Full) & 9:45am (Half), Charmaine
Beaulieu Dam, Richmond, KwaZulu-Natal,
2.5km/20km/5km & Half 1.25km/10km/2.5km,
350m/10km/2.5km, Paddle Tri: Full
Swim Tri: Full 700m/20km/5km & Half
aQuellé Mudman Series Eston,
Sunday 17 February
082 557 6884
Drive, Muldersdrift, Gauteng, Spectrum Sport
Lakeside Game Lodge, 59 Beyers Naude
5-8 150m/3km/150m (10am), Cradle Moon
500m/5km/500m (10:20am) & Rock Kids
Du 2km/22km/5km (7:40am), Rock Kids 9+
Tri 500m/22km/5km (7:30am), Du: Dash
Ultra Tri 1.8km/50km/15km (7am), Dash
Rockman X-Triathlon & Duathlon, Tri:
Sunday 17 February
https://www.triathlon.capetown/enter/
[email protected], Entries:
Cape Town, Western Cape, More info:
2.5km/10km/2.5km (12pm), V&A Waterfront,
5km/20km/2.5km (9:30am) & Super Sprint
Standard 10km/40km/5km (7am), Sprint
(7am) & Sprint 500m/20km/5km (9am), Du:
Town, Tri: Standard 750m/40km/10km
Discovery Triathlon World Cup Cape
Sunday 10 February
073 718 5427, More info: www.roag.co.za
Free State, 8:30am, 8:35am & 9am, Christa
Super Sprint 400m/10km/2.5km, Maselspoort,
1.5km/40km/10km, Sprint 750m/20km/5km,
Free State Triathlon/Duathlon, Standard
Saturday 9 February
Dam, Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal, Contact TBC
Full: 1km/5km & Half 500m/2.5km, Wagendrift
1km/10km/5km & Half 500m/5km/2.5km, Bi:
Wagendrift Challenge, Tri: Full
Organiser 012 004 0915
Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng, Time TBC, Race
6-8: 50m/1.25km/550m, Kaia Manzi Resort,
12-15: 200m/6km/2km, 9-11: 75m/2.5km/1km,
1.5km/26km/10km, Short 400m/12km/5km,
Kaia Manzi Rugged OffRoad Triathlon, Long
Sunday 3 February
086 100 7624
FEBRUARY 2019
(Full) & 2:30pm (Half), Charmaine Botha
Hermannsburg School, KwaZulu-Natal, 2pm
2.5km/20km/5km & Half 1.25km/10km/2.5km,
350m/10km/2.5km, Paddle Tri: Full
Swim Tri: Full 700m/20km/5km & Half
aQuellé Mudman Series Hermannsburg,
Saturday 2 February
MULTISPORT
Racin g!
Fa bu lous Februa ry
RACE CALENDAR
SA’s Biggest Running Publication
TRACK & FIELD
K a ney N gh Ru
Saturday 2 February
Runstacles 10km & 4km, Cape Town Ostrich
Ranch, Cape Town, Van Schoorsdrif Road, Off
N7, near Philadelphia, Western Cape, 8:30am,
The Grind HQ 021 813 9282 (w)
Saturday 9 February
Muddy Princess 5km Pretoria, Legends MX,
Rayton N4, east of Pretoria, More info: www.
muddyprincess.co.za, Entries: https://www.
entryninja.com/events/event/39902-muddy-
princess-pretoria
Runstacles 10km & 4km, Cape Town Ostrich
Ranch, Cape Town, Van Schoorsdrif Road,
Off N7, near Philadelphia, Western Cape,
8:30am, The Grind HQ 021 813 9282 (w),
Entries: https://www.entryninja.com/events/
event/42742-4km-10-obstacles
Sunday 17 February
Muddy Princes Johannesburg South,
5km Obstacle Run, Rietvlei Zoo Farm, 101
Swartkoppies Road, Johannesburg, Gauteng,
8am, More info: www.muddyprincess.
co.za, https://www.entryninja.com/events/
event/39922-muddy-princess-johannesburg
ADVENTURE
RACING
No Races scheduled in this period
RACE CALENDAR
Karen Chambers 083 474 9463
Park, Johannesburg, Gauteng, Time TBC,
Gauteng Schools Sprint League #5, Delta
Monday 25 February
NEDBANK
TOM &
THANKS,
No Races scheduled in this period
RACING
ADVENTURE
event/39922-muddy-princess-johannesburg
co.za, https://www.entryninja.com/events/
8am, More info: www.muddyprincess.
Swartkoppies Road, Johannesburg, Gauteng,
5km Obstacle Run, Rietvlei Zoo Farm, 101
Muddy Princes Johannesburg South,
Sunday 17 February
Entries: https://entrytickets.net/riversands
Gauteng, 8am, More info: www.gajiga.co.za,
Village, Rose Road, Knopjeslaagte, Midrand,,
(Inflatable obstacles), Riversands Farm
Gajiga Run – The Final Bounce 5km,
Sunday 10 February
event/42742-4km-10-obstacles
Entries: https://www.entryninja.com/events/
8:30am, The Grind HQ 021 813 9282 (w),
Off N7, near Philadelphia, Western Cape,
Ranch, Cape Town, Van Schoorsdrif Road,
Runstacles 10km & 4km, Cape Town Ostrich
princess-pretoria
entryninja.com/events/event/39902-muddy-
muddyprincess.co.za, Entries: https://www.
Rayton N4, east of Pretoria, More info: www.
Muddy Princess 5km Pretoria, Legends MX,
Saturday 9 February
The Grind HQ 021 813 9282 (w)
N7, near Philadelphia, Western Cape, 8:30am,
Ranch, Cape Town, Van Schoorsdrif Road, Off
Runstacles 10km & 4km, Cape Town Ostrich
Saturday 2 February
087 150 3144
Expo Centre, NASREC Time TBC, Organiser
Toyota Warrior Soweto 11km, 8km & 4km,
Saturday 2 February
OBSTACLE RACING
event/32902-xterra-grabouw-full
Entries: https://www.entryninja.com/events/
Cape, 8am, Stillwater Events 082 991 0045,
Club, Eikenhof Dam, Grabouw, Western
1.5km/25.6km/12.4km; Grabouw Country
XTERRA Full (Cross-Tri),
Sunday 24 February
Even s even aspx?
Thu sday 21 Feb u
Cou y C ub 5 h S
Johannesbu g 7pm
wannado co za En
ne k a neysumme
Wednesday 13 Feb ua y
The Happy Wande s N gh T a Run 10km
& 5km Wande e s Go C ub Johannesbu g
6 30pm Race O gan se 063 389 0681 Ru ms g Run 10km
Run Zone
Va en nes
Lase
L gh N gh
www.peaktiming.co.za
| [email protected]
| Grant 082
468 0195
T a Run 8km & 5km Randpa k Go Cou se
Se pe k Road Randpa k Randbu g 7pm
G aham 072 276 9635 u ms g un 148749
RACE MANAGEMENT FROM START TO FINISH
THANKS,
TOM &
NEDBANK
know about a race.
everything else you may want to
start times, route descriptions and
valuable info including venues,
for every racer in SA, providing
Guide is an essential companion
in its 28 th edition, the Runner’s
road Races in South Africa . Now
Runner’s Guide to Road and Off-
publisher of the Nedbank
author and
of Tom Cottrell,
with the help
been compiled
Calendar has
This Race
7pm R
4700 En es h p
ag
m
-
i
g
i
d
y
l
h
t
n
mo
Sunday 10 February
Gajiga Run – The Final Bounce 5km,
(Inflatable obstacles), Riversands Farm
Village, Rose Road, Knopjeslaagte, Midrand,,
Gauteng, 8am, More info: www.gajiga.co.za,
Entries: https://entrytickets.net/riversands
Online Entries | Race Office | Race Marketing | Live Timing and Results
C ub Roodepoo
7
011 053 1953 En
co za even s ea u
SELECTED UPCOMING EVENTS:
2 nd Feb 2019
3 rd Feb 2019
31 st Mar 2019
10 th Feb 2019
3 rd Mar 2019
7 th Apr 2019
13 th Apr 2019
10 th Mar 2019
14 th Apr 2019
Click on the race logo to be taken directly to the entry page
Race Calendar with
hyperlinks
to online entries
Lee Den Hond
And Sahara Ultra
Conquers Everest
Stabbing Survivor
Sunday 10 Feb ua y
Jeppe Ma a hon & Ha Ma a hon 8km &
4km Sahe Schoo C v n D ve Sende wood
6am Race O gan se 011 017 2700 w
En es h ps eppema a hon co za
Click on the race logo to be taken directly to the entry page
Time TBC, Karen Chambers 083 474 9463
Heronbridge School, Johannesburg, Gauteng,
Gauteng Schools Sprint League #4,
Monday 18 February
Go C ub cn Cand
Sunn ngh
17 th Mar 2019
NEW FEATURE
Herman Cronje
Saturday 2 February
Toyota Warrior Soweto 11km, 8km & 4km,
Expo Centre, NASREC Time TBC, Organiser
087 150 3144
This Race
Calendar has
been compiled
with the help
of Tom Cottrell,
author and
publisher of the Nedbank
Runner’s Guide to Road and Off-
road Races in South Africa . Now
in its 28 th edition, the Runner’s
Guide is an essential companion
for every racer in SA, providing
valuable info including venues,
start times, route descriptions and
everything else you may want to
know about a race.
P son B eak T a
FREE
OBSTACLE RACING
ISSUE 115 FEBRUARY 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za
& 10km, Pirates Club, Jacobus Smit Avenue,
Pirates Groot Gat Marathon, Half Marathon
Saturday 23 February
082 499 5990
Road, Kimberley, 5:30am, Gerhard Kruger
Go33W1xJBUIuB3QEEb8rtv2_oaDsbAxV-PU
Trail Run 8km & 5km, Randpark Golf Course,
Run Zone Valentines Laser Light Night
The Centre of SA
Running Mann at
van Heerden 082 487 7290
Manzi Resort, Bronkhorstspruit, 6:30am, Race
Saturday 2 February NORTH WEST NORTH Organiser 012 004 0915
Sunday 3 February
Intercare Classic Road Race Half Marathon,
Trail Adventure Smuts Trail Run 21km,
3 February
10km & 5km, Rietondale Sunday
Park, Soutpansberg
Pirates Half Marathon, Central Gauteng, 17 February
Sunday 3 February
Kaia Manzi Rugged OffRoad Triathlon, Long
1.5km/26km/10km, Short 400m/12km/5km,
12-15: 200m/6km/2km, 9-11: 75m/2.5km/1km,
6-8: 50m/1.25km/550m, Kaia Manzi Resort,
Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng, Time TBC, Race
Organiser 012 004 0915
Wednesday 20 Feb
Wednesday 6 Feb ua y
B ack D amond N gh T a 8km & 4km
Randpa k Go C ub Se pe k S Randpa k
7 30pm & 7 40pm He d Mu e 082 564 6468
F day 15 Feb ua y
Ho 91 9FM Va en ne s 10km N gh
Race Randbu g Cen a Spo s Comp ex
www.peaktiming.co.za | [email protected] | Grant 082 468 0195
Online Entries | Race Office | Race Marketing | Live Timing and Results
cn Repub c Road & S ve P ne Avenue
Randbu g 7pm M che e Kno ze 079 844
7156 En es h ps www en yn n a com
even s even 39342 va en nes n gh ace 10km
17 th Mar 2019
ISSUE 115 FEBRUARY 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za
1
NAMIBIA
NORTH WEST
58
n p e You
the 3000m Steeplechase
winning the SA Title in
Cherise celebrates
NEIGHBOURING
COUNTRIES
Adventure Tails River Run 10km, 5km &
Sunday 24 February
2km, Smuts Irene River,
Jan Smuts
Avenue,
Saturday
9 February
Township Marathon, Half Marathon, 10 km
Rossing
Marathon,
Half
Marathon, 10km
Centurion, 7am, Glizelle
Langerman
083
264
& 5km, Eldorado Park Stadium,
Cumming
& 5km, Venita Stadium, Welwitschia Street,
CENTRAL
NORTH WEST 3931, Entries: https://www.entrytime.com/
Swakopmund, Time TBC, Frank Slabbert
Road, Eldorado Park, 6am, Joe Morris 082
event-details/?EventId=5811
+264(0)81 240 3383
Saturday 9 February
443 3777, Entries: https://www.entrytime.com/
Sunday 3 10km
February
Klerksdorp Marathon, Half Marathon,
event-details/?EventId=5758
Sunday 17 February
Pirates Half Marathon, Pirates Club, cnr
Cruden Bay & Braeside Road, Greenside,
6am, Race Organiser 011 568 0922 (w),
Entries: https://entrytickets.net/pirates21?f-
bclid=IwAR0d1ij7d5IkecE5xP3vwZoX-
Go33W1xJBUIuB3QEEb8rtv2_oaDsbAxV-PU
h n
Saturday 3 February
Zelco Motors Spitskop Marathon, Half
Marathon & 10km, Spitskop Nature Reserve,
Upington, 5:30am, Carel Burger 082 622 7109
Anne Nieuwenhuizen 082 440 2294
entrytime.com/event-details/?EventId=5817
R
NORTH WEST CAPE
Saturday Contour
23 February
Fairtree Capital Simonsberg
Two
Saturday 23 February
Memorial Marathon & Half
Day Trail
Run, Boland, John
9 & Nugent
10 February
TWK Assegaai Marathon,
Half Marathon
Marathon & 10km, Desert Palace Hotel &
& 10km, Piet Retief Rugby Club, Piet Retief/
Casino, 5:30am, Russell Nugent 082 302 5512
eMkhondo, 6am (42 & 21) & 6:15am (10),
Serengeti Valentines Night Run 15km, 10km
& 5km, Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate,
off R21 & R25, Kempton Park, 7pm, Shane
Gouldie 082 332 9552, Entries: https://www.
Matt Trautman
Kimberley, 6am, Douw Kruger douw@seesa.
co.za, Entries: http://www.webtickets.co.za/
events/sport/groot-gat-marathon/1487811814
Road, Rietondale, 6am, Hank Bezhuidenhout
Friday 22 February
Wednesday
27 February
Kyalami Night Run 10km
& 5km, Kyalami
083 256 0241 (3pm-5pm), Entries: https://
Hoogenhout Nite 10km & 4.9km, Hoërskool
Golf Club, Spur Road, Midrand, 7pm, Shane
entries.timeme.co.za/events/39382-intercare-
Hoogenhout Stadium, Wicht Street, Bethal,
Gouldie 082 332 9552, Entries: https://www.
classic-road-race
events/event/39342-valentines-night-race-10km
A
Survivor Special – Four stories That Will Inspire You!
ISSUE 115 / February 2019
LETTERS
Fo m D ug Add
Runn ng B
o
40
flows smoothly. – Ed.
As with basic rules of the road, if everybody follows them, the traffic
athletes getting in the way of other runners or causing painful collisions.
wrong on the track – and not just newcomers! I’ve seen seasoned track
These ‘rules’ seem so obvious, but it is amazing how often athletes get it
Have Your SAY
TOTALSPORTS WOMEN’S RACE 2019 / Joburg
Herman Cron e
83
print. (Note that letters may be shortened due to space limitations.)
preferably be no more than 300 words long, and pics must be high-resolution to be usable in
good story to tell? Then send it to [email protected], and add a pic if you can. Letters
Got something on your mind that you want to share, a burning question you want answered, or a
Sur
vivor should
TRAIL RUNNING
Su
GAUTENG
Wednesday 6 February
Black Diamond Night Trail 8km & 4km,
Randpark Golf Club, Setperk Str, Randpark,
7:30pm & 7:40pm, Heidi Muller 082 564 6468
ng Ph o nd
p h
Ch mp
ng on
FEBRUARY 2019
A Y
L pst ck Runner
ISSUE 115 FEBRUARY 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za
ISSUE 115 FEBRUARY 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za
That careful planning also includes going back to what
12
W
Discovery Triathlon World Cup Cape Town, Multisport, 10 February
Welcome to SA’s biggest and most complete running and walking race
calendar, containing all road and trail runs, as well as other running-related
disciplines. Just remember to always check with the organisers before
driving to an event, as some details may have changed since going
to print. – COMPILED BY SEAN FALCONER with TOM COTTRELL
Hester Bekker
“His name was Angel Pallo and he had
be
ISSUE 115 FEBRUARY 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za
12
F
S
HELPING HANDS
ADVENTURE
That careful planning also includes going back to what
d
o Run
Cher se
S mms
Lee was put in an ambulance to be taken
to hospital, but all she could think about
was not being caught for working in the
USA illegally, since she didn’t have a work
permit. “I actually asked them to stop the
ambulance and said I would be fine, but
the ambulance crew insisted that I needed
to go to hospital, because it was a serious
wound.” While Lee was still waiting for
her X-rays to be developed and then to
be treated, two detectives arrived with the
mugger in handcuffs and leg chains and
asked her to identify him.
“if you’re
hungry enough
for success, you
will get to that
start line. I’m
hungry again
this year”
S bb ng Su
o
Conqu
E
And S h
U
A
Y
“A passing cab driver stopped his car and
came to help me. He called the police and
asked me if I would recognise the guy.
Still trying to figure out why I couldn’t feel
my leg, I said ‘Yes, definitely, he’s wearing
a yellow sweater and a blue cap with the
NYC logo, and he’s got my backpack.
When the police arrived, one officer stayed
with me while the other went after the guy,
and he caught the attacker a few blocks
away.”
CHASING
“So I will see how Two Oceans goes, but I will have
worked out with Lindsey what I need to do, and
then I will run a sensible race. If there is something
in the last few kays and there is a chance to win
it, as Caroline did, then I will go for it, but that is
not my main focus. Lindsey always says I need to
run certain times, and I am going to listen to him,
because I feel this year I have the opportunity to do
well at Comrades again.”
R
D
“Something told me to turn around and I
saw a guy behind me, looking at a piece
of paper. It looked like he was looking for a
specific building or address, so I continued
walking. Suddenly I felt an incredible pain
in my back, like a hammer blow, and I lost
all feeling in my right leg. The guy had
stabbed me, and as I lay there he took my
Nike backpack and ran off. It had the sum
total of three Dollars in loot in it.”
Planning for Success
When asked if she would like to go after the win
at Two Oceans, to round off her collection of top
five positions in the race, she says no, because
Comrades is her main focus this year. “It would be
nice to win Two Oceans, but this year it’s too close
to Comrades. Last year I learnt my lesson when I
won the Loskop 50km in 3:22 and broke the course
record for veterans, then had my biggest training
week at altitude in Graskop the very next week. I
hadn’t actually raced too hard at Loskop, but the
big week on top of it broke me, and that affected my
Comrades.”
W
Saturday 2 February
aQuellé Mudman Series Hermannsburg,
Swim Tri: Full 700m/20km/5km & Half
350m/10km/2.5km, Paddle Tri: Full
2.5km/20km/5km & Half 1.25km/10km/2.5km,
Hermannsburg School, KwaZulu-Natal, 2pm
(Full) & 2:30pm (Half), Charmaine Botha
086 100 7624
“I was 30 years old and doing jobs
that students normally do,” says Lee,
describing that she would do personal
training in Central Park with individual
clients in the mornings, then work in sales
in a fashion store, followed by hostess and
waitressing work in an Italian restaurant in
the evenings. That day in September, after
putting in a long day at all three jobs, she
caught the subway home and was walking
the last few blocks home, around midnight,
when it happened.
MULTISPORT
Sunday 24 February
XTERRA Full (Cross-Tri),
1.5km/25.6km/12.4km; Grabouw Country
Club, Eikenhof Dam, Grabouw, Western
Cape, 8am, Stillwater Events 082 991 0045,
Entries: https://www.entryninja.com/events/
event/32902-xterra-grabouw-full
Even now at 43, she says she still loves the way
running makes her feel. Nevertheless, she has
No matter what the future holds, for now Charne says
she is still fully focused on her running. “The older I
get, the stronger I seem to get, so I do not see my age
as a barrier... but I do listen to my body more now. I
know what works for me, and of course, what does
not work. Experience has taught me to focus only on
what I can control, and that is running my own race.
My rivals must do what they need to do, but all that
matters to me when I cross the finish line is that I want
to know that I gave it everything I have. If I can tell
myself I did that, then I will be happy with the result,
no matter that my position is.”
ED OR S P
Lee Den Hond
Charne
Bosman
Monday 25 February
Gauteng Schools Sprint League #5, Delta
Park, Johannesburg, Gauteng, Time TBC,
Karen Chambers 083 474 9463
Charne has been running since 1991 and says she
instantly fell in love with running the first time she
ran with her cousin. It also soon became apparent
that she had serious running talent. “When I was 16
years old, I did a VO2max test and they said I scored
69, which meant that I had lots of potential to be a
long-distance runner. They also said I was built like a
Kenyan, with long legs and a short torso, which gave
me still more encouragement.”
“If schools need me again this year, I will be available,
as long as it fits into my training schedule, but to be
honest, I can’t see myself going back to teaching
fulltime. On the other hand, I can see myself as a
running coach, helping with children, because I love
to work with kids. I’m already coaching junior athletes,
and enjoy giving back in that way. Also, Murray &
Roberts are supporting the Vorentoe Academy, so
if there is an opportunity and they want me to help
there, I would love to get involved. I’ve actually just
done some coaching courses with ASA, and it made
me realise that I actually enjoy studying, so even
though it’s been a long time since my varsity days,
I may look for something to study after Comrades,
like sports marketing. You’re never too old to try
something new!”
RACE CALENDAR
With that really successful 2013 Two Oceans
debut still fresh in her memory, Charne then made
her Comrades debut, finishing fifth. Ultra-running
clearly suits her, and in the years from 2013 to
2018 she has earned four gold medals at Two
Oceans (finishing in positions 2, 5, 4 and 3, with a
best of 3:40:16 in that 2013 debut) and five golds
at Comrades, with an equally remarkable finishing
record of positions 5, 2, 1, 3 and 5, and a best of
6:25:55 in the 2016 Down Run, when she won the
race.
Looking Ahead
he date 20 September 1999 is
seared into Lee den Hond’s memory.
She had worked in marketing for
adidas and Nike in South Africa, and now
she had been in New York for just over
two months trying to land her dream job
in marketing with Nike in the Big Apple,
but things had not worked out as she had
hoped. Firstly, she did not have a permit
to legally work in the USA, and secondly,
she hadn’t realised that Nike headquarters
was actually in Portland, on the other side
of the country, so instead she was working
three part-time jobs just trying to earn
enough to survive.
for the distance, and then getting tripped and falling
with 7km to go. The following year, I finished third at
Two Oceans, in one of the best races of my career. I
was lying ninth at Constantia Nek, but then I started
catching everyone. I was hammering it over the
last few kilometres, and if the race had been just
1km further, I could have passed Tabtitha Tsatsa for
second place... which would have meant I would
have become the winner when Natalya Volgina was
disqualified.”
“In 2018 I was trying to do my long training runs
in races, and I think that was one of my mistakes,
because even if just training, you naturally go five
to 10 percent faster. Lindsey says he will join me in
some races this year to hold me back, and will keep
an eye on me to make sure I stick to what is planned.
I still won at Johnson Crane, and may go down to the
Cape for the Peninsula Marathon, but I am running
according to a strict plan. I learnt a big lesson in 2018,
that to do well at Comrades, you can’t race all the
other races. You have to train and race smart.”
Fabulous February
Racing!
T
reached that part of a pro runner’s career when one
inevitably has to begin thinking of what will come
next, when your competitive years at the top are over.
“You can’t run competitively forever, so I am already
thinking ahead. I studied teaching way back in the
day, then only taught for six months before turning pro
in 1998, but last year I actually updated my CV for the
first time in years because several schools asked me
to help them out as a relief teacher.”
worked for her in the past. In the build-up to her 2016
Comrades win, she won the Johnson Crane Marathon
and finished fourth at Two Oceans. In 2017, she didn’t
finish the Peninsula Marathon, but then took second
place at the Om Die Dam 50km. Last year, however,
she probably raced too much, winning the Johnson
Crane, Bestmed/Tuks and Deloitte marathons, as
well as the Sunrise Monster 32km and at Loskop.
This year she has already finished second in the
Dis-Chem Half, and followed that up with another
win in the Johnson Crane Marathon, posting a
new course record of 2:44:52, but she says she is
actually holding back.
RACE CALENDAR
TRAIL RUNNING
Rockman T a Ru
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31 st Mar 2019
2 nd Feb 2019
3 rd Feb 2019
7 th Apr 2019
10 th Feb 2019
13 th Apr 2019
3 rd Mar 2019
14 th Apr 2019
10 th Mar 2019
SELECTED UPCOMING EVENTS:
RACE MANAGEMENT FROM START TO FINISH
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& 5km Se enge Go and W d e Es a e
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Gou d e 082 332 9552 En es h ps www
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Sunday 17 Feb ua y
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6am Race O gan se 011 568 0922 w
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bc d= wAR0d1 7d5 kecE5xP3vwZoX
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